Best all around Spyderco ever?

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kgriggs8

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Out of all the Spydercos, which one do you think makes the best all around mulit purpose knife?

For me it is the Para-Military. It is not perfect, I am not a big fan of compression locks and the handle feels weird to my hand but it is a good design that is very good in many roles.

I can't think of another Spyderco that fills as many roles as well as the Para. It is a great EDC that is strong enough for hard use and can be used as a self defense knife if needed. It is also flat ground like all good knives are and made with S30V steel in Golden CO. It is a great cutter that keeps an edge for a long time and has a blade shape that is useful for almost any task.
 
The Para is a very logical choice, but it's not fair to say that all good knives are flat-ground. I like flat grinds as much as the next guy, but there are advantages to others. A high hollow grind has lots of benefits.

I would put the Para in second or third place behind a fully serrated Delica. There's a reason why it's the most popular Spydie. Almost all of the pluses you mentioned about the Para apply to the Delica, plus two more: it's much less likely to make NKPs scream "somebody think of the children!" (i.e., you can carry it in most offices), and it's inexpensive enough that if you lose it or beat the hell out of it, you don't mind.
 
Police, Military or Para-Military imho... the best of the best!!! durability, reliability, edge and looks!!!!
 
For a long time I would have said the orginal Native, but, now that I have carried the Chinook II for awhile, I consider the Chinook II the best all around knife I own, regardless of manufacturer.

It has everything:

1. a robust, bullet-proof lock;

2. strong and light construction (how often do those two go together?);

3. belly and point (how often do those two go together?);

4. point on line with the centerline of the grip;

5. a comfortable, secure grip design that won't come out of the hand or slip forwards or backwards, even under the most extreme conditions; and,

6. four clip positions

The Chinook II should win best knife of the year, every year.
Bravo!

One could only improve on the Chinook II by offering it in a fixed-blade configuration (no velcro on the sheath, please), and, even then, I would probably stay with my folding version.
Spyderco could persuade me to switch to a fixed-blade version of the Chinook II if they sharpened the swedge, or made it reasonable for the user to sharpen it, but that will never happen.
Too bad: my state allows unconcealed carry of a double-edged knife.
A fixed-blade double-edged Chinook II (with Spydie Hole and the round bevels in the scales) would represent the perfect field, soldier's, survivalist, self-defense, neck-knife, and combat knife of all time.
If it had a skeletonized grip with the scales screwed in place, just like the folder, it could weigh and balance the same.
Imagine a double-edged fixed-blade Chinook II in a reverse grip.
I'd fight a pit bull with that in my hand (I wouldn't look forward to it, but I might survive it).
 
"The Para is a very logical choice, but it's not fair to say that all good knives are flat-ground."

That was mostly a joke. It is just my preference, I wasn't being serious. The idea of the "best" anything is silly so when anyone say the best this or the best that, I either assume they are joking or don't know what they are talking about. Everything depends on the intended use. A flat ground blade is the best for some tasks but not the best for others. As a general rule, I am sucker for full flat ground blades like the Para. They just seem to cut better most of the time.

I can see your point on the Delia. It is just the right size to be a good all around folder but I prefer something a little larger if the chance of having to use it to defens myself is real. Self defense doesn't mean only against other people. Stats say you are far more likely to be attacked by a dog than a person. I have never fought a dog with a knife and I hope that I never have to but if I did, I would prefer a Para over a Delica because it is a little larger and stouter.

On the other hand, 99.99% of the time, I am going to be using my knife for less hair rasing tasks. For these tasks, I like something that is easy to carry, small enough to control, and doesn't make me look like a serial killer when out in public. I feel a Para sized knife is about as big as I feel comfortable with when using in front of other people. It has a big handle but the blade is reasonable size. You can also choke up on the blade when using in front of people and it makes the blade look even smaller. It is also a knife that I would take camping. It has to be one the most versatile knives I have had.

The funny thing is, I have come to respect the Para in hindsight. I had one but I traded it because I didn't like the compression lock. I have serveral other knives with the compression lock now and once you get used to it, it is at least a easy to use as the normal back lock. I still prefer a frame lock or a liner lock as being the very best in terms of ergos but compression is no worse than the mid back lock on many Spydercos.
 
Ken Cox said:
2. strong and light construction (how often do those two go together?)
Click to expand...

Is the 'Nook II that much lighter than the I? I have the original and I definitely wouldn't call it light. Did they skeletonize the liners?

I agree the 'Nook is a great knife. Unfortunately, the blade is too large for me to carry it legally while I walk around Golden, Colorado. Argh.
 
Manix or Chinook II:thumbup:

I don't own either yet;) but from the reviews and the looks of each, both like the best all around knives
 
The old C48 is it for me. As a canoest/hunter/winter camper here in the NWT I am absolutely enamored of the full size Wegner. The great ergonomics, flawless blade shape, great edge holding (ATS34) and the sensual thwack of opening has never been equaled IMO.

I have the Blade Tech versions in both 440C and S30V and a VG10 Ocelot on the way...and they are all great but nothing feels as good in my hand as the C48 Spydie Wegner (in plain edge of course).
 
I really like the original G-10 Terzuola. I had the small version.
I also really my original Viele, it's smooth as silk, but I don't use it.
I guess I like the original the most Calypso, micarta, and it's a lockback, good for dressy and or hardworking environments.
 
For me, it's my EDC, a G-10 Native PE.

Great ergonomics, moderate size, sturdy blade, solid lock (and an attractive blue color ;) )

David
 
I agree with Steven Andrews, but I *might* go a step further: if one factors in price/performance, the Salt I is maybe the best value in a folding knife that I've ever seen. It's exceedingly strong and light, the ergos are outstanding, and it will never rust. So: Delica/Endura unless you're in a setting where corrosion is an issue, then the Salt series. The only knives that come close for function/value are SAKs, but that's an apples/oranges comparison.
 
I have a lot of folders. Lots and lots both cheap and pricey. I can't even tell you how many but none of them have seen the kind of time in my pocket that the Salt 1 has. I find inevitably that no matter what other knife I may carry for a while it is just a temporary ride until I go back to my old stand by which is the Salt 1 plain edge. Of course I did rebuild the body out of titanium and lignum vitae wood to my own liking so maybe that is part of why it sees so much use but a lot of the reason I spent the time and money on this one to rebuild it in the first place was because of the blade and the usefulness it has and the potential I saw in it. I have over $60 just in the titanium screws and another $20 in the custom made titanium pivot pin for it so that should tell you the worth I placed on it. Overall I'd have to give my Salt 1 the nod for best all around performer from any maker. It has it all.

STR
 
Shmackey said:
I agree the 'Nook is a great knife. Unfortunately, the blade is too large for me to carry it legally while I walk around Golden, Colorado. Argh.
Click to expand...

Has Shmackey seen the new Polliwog?

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=198

This knife reminds me of a Native on serious steroids.
If I lived in an area that had serious blade length restrictions, I would consider this knife, even given the price.
Expensive.
I haven't handled one, yet.
However, if it runs true to Spyderco form, the value should exceed the price.
 
Yep, I've played with that one. The limit here is 3.5", so the 'Nook barely misses the mark. I don't need to go waaaay small.

The Poliwog feels very well made, but it has a certain Star Trek something or other that doesn't work for me...
 
I've changed my vote.

After more "in-hand time", I'll have to say that it's a tie between the Pacific Salt and the Grey Goddard.

Allen.
 
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